Kinship Care Week 2026
Kinship Care Week (5 to 11 October 2026) celebrates kinship carers and the vital role they play in providing children and young people with stable and loving homes.
Across England and Wales, more than 141,000 children are being raised in kinship care by relatives, family friends and others who step up to care for a child or young person.
To mark the week, we’re hosting a free Kinship Information Event on Wednesday 7 October, 10.00am to 12.00pm at Huntingdon Children’s Centre, Huntingdon, PE29 7AF.
Why attend?
Whether you’re new to kinship care or have been caring for a child for many years, this event is a great opportunity to get information, advice and support.
Meet local support services, find out what help is available to your family and connect with a kinship community made up of carers from across Cambridgeshire.
Join us for a friendly and informative morning. No booking is required. Just turn up on the day.
Local Offer for kinship carers
Kinship care is where children are looked after by people they already know. It is also called connected persons care or family and friends care. There are different types of kinship care, both formal and informal. All types provide an opportunity for children to feel loved and cared for by people they already have a connection with.
At the council, we understand the unique challenges and rewards that come with being a kinship carer. Whether you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or close family friend who has stepped in to care for a child, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Our Local Offer is designed to provide you with information and resources to help you navigate your journey as a kinship carer. You will find details about the various types of support available. It includes financial assistance, training opportunities, and community resources. We also offer guidance on legal matters, health and wellbeing, and educational support for the children in your care.
We are committed to ensuring that you have access to the right support at the right time. Our goal is to:
- make it easier for you to find the information you need
- connect with other kinship carers
- access the services that can help you provide the best possible care for the children in your life
Children and families in kinship care may also be able to access:
Policies and procedures
The council has two key policies regarding how it supports both children and carers who are subject to family and friends care.
Consultation
As a local authority, we have a duty to consult on these important policies and we welcome your feedback. Please provide feedback via this online form below.
Kinship newsletter
Here is our quarterly newsletter for kinship carers. Whether you are a kinship foster carer, a special guardian, hold a Child Arrangement Order, are an informal carer or a private foster carer, you will find helpful information about our Local Offer, training, support groups and much more.
